Croissants, baguettes, and pastries, oh my! Life on Hilton Head Island just got a little bit sweeter with the new Hilton Head Social Bakery. The beautiful café and bakery located at Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina is a passion project for New York chef Phillipe Feret and his partner Marissa Burnpur. Feret has worked in some of the finest restaurants in New York and had his own restaurant, Brasserie Julien, for 15 years. The talented pastry chef is bringing his Parisian roots and culinary expertise to Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina, and we for one cannot wait to taste his delectable desserts.

Eclairs, croissants, tarts, turnovers, European-style bread and brioche, chocolates, cakes, is your mouth watering yet? We wanted to learn more about the Hilton Head Social Bakery so we went straight to the source. Check out our interview with Executive Chef Phillipe Feret and don’t forget to check out the Hilton Head Social Bakery next time you visit Palmetto Dunes.

You’ve been open about a month now. How’s it going so far?

It’s great! Our initial concern was the customer response to introducing something new and different here, but they love it! This gives us fuel to do even better.

Your father owned a bakery in France. How does it feel to be following in his footsteps?

It’s a nice feeling and I’m sure he’s proud of me. I think about him all of the time now that I am baking again, especially when I am using his original baking tools that he gave me just before we opened. He used [them] in our bakery when I was young.

What bakery item do you enjoy making the most?

Croissants, because croissants are temperamental and are an interesting challenge. To make a great croissant everything has to [be perfect], the temperature, the environment, the timing, etc. Most of the time they are in a good mood!

The café is so beautiful! We love all of the reclaimed wood and special touches. What inspired you to create such a beautiful space?

The bakery is significant because the inside has a story to it. From the floor to the wood cabinetry, to the artifacts. My fiancée and I always wanted to have a barn house with reclaimed wood, so, for now, we combined our talents to build this in a contemporary design. She is my biggest inspiration.

Do you have a favorite dessert? Which pastry would you recommend?

All of the desserts I make are my favorite. But most of all, the apple tart and crème brulée. I would never make anything I didn’t like.

What do you love most about Hilton Head Island?

The community is very supportive and friendly [and] it’s very peaceful here. The island life is great.

Thanks to Philippe for answering our questions! If you’d like to learn more about the Hilton Head Social Bakery, check out their Facebook Page. Or visit their new website at www.hiltonheadsocialbakery.com! Bon appétit!

Everyone loves fireworks; it is hard to imagine someone who cannot associate the magic of fireworks to a childhood memory, favorite holiday or great story. Often, when people recount their favorite fireworks memory, they remember their family’s summer vacation and the Tuesday night fireworks at Shelter Cove for HarbourFest Summer Celebration. After 27 years of sending fairy dust into the sky and watching everyone’s eyes light up, we figured it might be fun to give you the inside scoop.

How much really goes into setting up a fireworks show? You just light the fuse and let them do their thing, right?

We wish!

HarbourFest and Tuesday night fireworks begin in mid-June and continue through mid-August, but planning for the event begins immediately following the closing night of HarbourFest. Applications & Permits with a variety of law enforcement entities involved are required to stage such an event. We work closely with the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire Department, Beaufort County Sherriff’s office, the South Carolina State Fire Marshal’s office, SC Department of Natural Resources, etc. Once all the logistic & planning details are approved, the Tuesday night fireworks events are given the green light. The Shelter Cove HarbourFest event has been fortunate to have the continued and generous support of Greenwood Communities and Resorts, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the Shelter Cove Harbour Merchants Association, the Town of Hilton Head Island & local business sponsors for many years and has received funding to help offset the cost of producing the shows, security, traffic management and facilities maintenance. This additional funding has helped sustain and keep this event going even through the economic downturn.

With six to eight months of planning complete, it is show time (literally!). Preparation for a Tuesday night fireworks show begins around 2:00pm with fireworks scheduled to shoot at dusk (usually 9:00-9:30pm). As is the case with all outdoor events, weather and safety conditions play a huge part in the execution of the event. Here in the South Carolina Lowcountry, afternoon thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence. The daily weather conditions and forecast are tracked constantly and they dictate when and if we can set-up a show.

On the show dates, the Fire Marshal & Marina Dockmaster are called by the pyrotechnic company to alert them of their arrival time at the designated location. Once the crew and marina team are assembled, a safe zone clearance of 50 feet is created around the area and boat where the fireworks are being moved. The pyrotechnic company and crew can then begin to transport more than 500 pounds of fireworks (the July 4th show generally exceeds 1,000 pounds of fireworks and entails an 8-10 hour set-up time) onto a boat which is then driven to the barge that is positioned outside the Shelter Cove Marina in Broad Creek.

The loaded vessel leaves the marina and makes the trip to the barge just a few miles away. All of the fireworks are then offloaded onto the barge, individually wired and covered, if necessary, in case of inclement weather. The fireworks crew then gets back on to the boat to shoot the fireworks remotely from a safe 100 yard distance from the barge. Two additional boats must secure the perimeter of the barge for additional safety measures until the end of the fireworks show.

The entire loading, unloading and set up process takes four to five hours, weather permitting. As mentioned, factors like rain, wind, lightening and even heat advisories can disrupt the set up of the show and cause a show delay or cancellation. Simply put, if there is a threat of severe weather or any inclement weather during the set-up or firing of a fireworks show, our staff has no choice but to delay or cancel the show.

We have faced nights where we had to cancel a show at 4:00pm because the fireworks crew cannot set up in thunder and lightning conditions. But when the weather clears and it is sunny and nice by 6:00pm, people want to know why on Earth the fireworks were cancelled. The answer? Safety. The safety of our staff and guests is our main priority and is not something we take lightly.

Trust us when we say there is no one more disappointed than our staff when a fireworks show is forced into cancellation. We speak to residents and visitors every week who tell us that the Tuesday night fireworks at HarbourFest is the event they look forward to the most every summer with their family. We hate to let these folks down, but unfortunately, sometimes the weather just doesn't cooperate.

We hope that by explaining the process of Tuesday night fireworks, guests, visitors and locals will gain a better understanding of the reasoning behind a cancelled show. No matter, the magic occurs every Tuesday night, mid-June to mid-August! … Weather permitting. : )

Every Thursday evening from April 2-May 21, visitors to Shelter Cove will enjoy live music from local bands, as well as appetizers and drink specials from Shelter Cove restaurants. One of the best parts of the evening is dancing! Everyone joins in around the iconic Neptune Statue as the musicians perform while the sun sets over Broad Creek.

The event runs from 6-9 p.m., so be sure to stop by before or after dinner at one of our delicious Shelter Cove restaurants, offering everything from Mexican and Italian to Mediterranean and French -- all with a water view.

If there’s a certain band you’re looking to see, here is the schedule to help you plan your visit:

April 2 – Deas Guyz

April 9 – Target, the Band

April 16 – The Headliners

April 23 – Candace Woodson

April 30 – Target, the Band

May 7 – Deas Guyz

May 14 – The Chilly Willy Band

May 21 – The Headliners

This event is free to the public and weather permitting. Please remember no coolers or outside food is allowed. We will also be accepting canned good donations for the Deep Well Project.

Sheepshead kick off local fishing season in March on Hilton Head Island.

The slight, almost imperceptible tug on the rod tip signaled the sheepshead had taken the crab in his mouth. Pulling back gently to tighten the connection I waited for the second tap. At this point, history has taught me that it may be too late, the crab crushed and the fish gone, but there it was, another light tap!

Setting the hook quickly the classic tug and war battle was on. Bending the rod double on surging runs and taking drag, the sheepshead did his best to return to the structure below. After several minutes we finally had color, the black and white striped master bait thief was close. But they never give up easy and the fish took line again and headed for the depths.

Back and forth he went until finally the fish was close enough to slide the net under. Weighing around eight pounds, the sheepshead was mostly grown, while weights in the double digits are possible, few are caught over the ten pound mark.

Sheepshead are present year round in the low country but March is a banner month for this fishery. A member of the snapper family, they rank in my list of favorites to catch Difficult to hook due to their feeding habits, a real scrapper when it comes to fighting and last but definitely not least- they are delicious on the plate. A large set of teeth, almost human like, are used to crush barnacles, crabs and other hard shell critters.

The preferred bait for most anglers are fiddler crabs. The most common rig is a fish finder rig, a sliding sinker rigged above a short leader with the hook at the end. Dropping the crab over structure until the sinker hits bottom, then reeling the sinker up a foot or so allows the angler, if he’s lucky, to feel the light tap or tug when the sheepie takes the crab in his mouth. Only seconds pass before the sheepshead crushes the crab, spits the hook and then he’s on his way. Needless to say you need a good supply of fiddlers if you want to seriously sheepshead fish. Fresh clams and live shrimp are also productive baits.

One of the things I like most about March is that sheepshead are the harbingers of the season. They kickstart our local season, keeping us busy until the cobia show in late April and May, but that’s another month and another story. Now it’s time to catch the sheepies!

P.S. A note for our guests and residents of northern origin, these are not the same fish as the freshwater species you know from back home.

There is so much to do when visiting us this spring! For those of you counting down the days until you arrive to gorgeous Hilton Head Island and Palmetto Dunes, we’ve compiled a spring to-do list for you. See how many you can complete and let us know:

Snap a selfie with Neptune Statue - Take the bike route under the highway to Shelter Cove Harbour and snap a selfie with the iconic Neptune Statue, the largest figurative sundial in the world!

Bike to breakfast - Hop on your bikes one morning and ride to the Palmetto Dunes General Store to snag some sinful cinnamon rolls straight out of the oven along with some freshly brewed coffee

Nosh on fish tacos at the Dunes House - Take a break from the beach for lunch and head up to the oceanfront Dunes House for their famous fish tacos. Oh and be sure to smile for the camera at the Dunes House where your friends back home can catch you on our beachfront webcam.

Finish a plate of Big Jim’s nachos - Can your family take on a plate of Big Jim’s famous nachos and win? Insider tip: Try them with pulled pork & chicken for finger lickin’ good Southern flavor!

Go on a heron hunt - Rent a kayak or canoe from Hilton Head Outfitters and see if you can spot a great blue heron. In fact, count up all the birds you spot on your peaceful journey.

Find Nemo Jaws - Head to the beach with rental fishing gear from Hilton Head Outfitters and see if you can catch a shark from the beach. The best time to try is around dusk.

Tennis Challenge - Can you volley the ball 17 times on one of our 26 tennis courts? Try it out with your two hours of free tennis court time with your Palmetto Dunes Hilton Head vacation villa reservation. If you need a little help, sign up for one of our many clinics and lessons weekly.

Take your pic with a pro - Enjoy our free weekly golf demonstration 4 p.m. on Mondays at the Jones course and snag a pic with former PGA pro and director of golf instruction Doug Weaver. Hint: Ask him what alligator arms are!

If your family is happily making plans in the winter cold for your warm weather spring break or summer escape to Hilton Head Island, you’re probably wondering what there is to do for each member of the family.

While all ages will find many activities to float their boat, we’re taking a look at teens in this post. Here are some activities that even the finickiest of teen will find worthy.

Stand up Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding, also known as SUP, will appeal to your nature-loving, adventuresome teen. This fastest growing watersport combines surfing with kayaking. You stand on a specially-designed paddleboard, similar to a surfboard, and use a paddle to cruise through a body of water, such as a harbor or the ocean. It’s a whole body workout, using your core for balance, your arms for paddling and more.

Jetpacking

Got a teen who loves bungee jumping or other adrenaline-rushing activities? Let them try jetpacking over Broad Creek at Shelter Cove Harbour, the resort’s waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment district complete with a marina. This will make an awesome photo to post on Instagram and share with all of their friends. And what a view…!

Shark Fishing

Daring teens can try their hand at shark fishing on one of our night shark fishing excursions if you’re planning to visit during the summer months. May through August you can head out on the high seas for a three-hour shark fishing charter to try and reel in Jaws -- or even just a hammerhead or tiger shark. There’s nothing like the feeling of battling one of nature’s most amazing creatures!

Be a Beach Bum

Some teens may prefer to “hang out” more than anything else. Good news! We’ve got plenty of teen-friendly places to do so. They can relax by the pool at your Hilton Head vacation rental or head to our 3 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach for a swim, to lay in the sun or to take a casual stroll. They’ll also love our beachfront Dunes House restaurant, which is great for a quick bite to eat and meeting new friends.

GoPro Adventure

Let teens bring their GoPro along and see how many different adventures they can record. Try diving into the pool or ocean if they’ve got a waterproof GoPro, heading out on their Hilton Head bike rental,paddleboarding or even surfing during the summer months. What a fun way to showcase their Hilton Head vacation for years to come!

What do your teens like to do when you visit Palmetto Dunes?

For more information about booking your Spring Break or summer Hilton Head Island getaway, visit www.palmettodunes.com or call us at 866-650-4130.

A new year and barring any severe weather great fishing should continue!

We are so blessed here with many days reaching the 70's and sometimes 80 degrees in winter. Trout fishing has been great this season, getting a limit of ten per person has been easy a lot of days. They are hitting almost any artificial you throw at them and live bait is always good.

Reports of large "gator" trout are common and large flounder seem to be more plentiful. Redfish are with us year round and this time of year can be caught inshore and offshore. While artificials will work in the creeks for the redfish, cut mullet, live mud minnows and shrimp will all but guarantee some lively action. Fishing around docks and oyster beds on either side of low tide seems to be the best method for these battlers.

Sheepshead fishing around the docks and old pilings is also great this time of year. Live fiddlers and clams the favorite baits of choice for these convict striped fish. Master bait thieves you have to be vigilant for the ever so subtle strike. Not many fish can top the sheepshead for table fare, which has earned them the nickname "river snapper".

Sheepshead can also be caught at the nearshore reefs but black sea bass pose a problem in winter. Also hard to beat for the table the black sea bass are out of season this time of year and while you can literally catch hundreds on a trip now, but…you have to release them all.

While many over slot reds are being caught in the creeks the really big boys will be off the beach. This time of year searching for the gannets diving on bait schools will help you locate the bull redfish. Once you locate them place squid, menhaden or cut mullet beneath them and hold on! Averaging 30 plus pounds look for at least two or three if not more scorching runs out of these guys.

One other option this time of year is up the Savannah River. In late December and January the striped bass run up the freshwater rivers and offer a rare treat for those that seek them. Trolling big Cisco Kids or similar lures along the banks with stout tackle can produce fish twenty pounds and up. Be careful of large ships passing as the deep draft of these ships will pull the water six feet or more from the bank. All in all there is plenty of good fishing this time of year, so don't put those rods away!

By Guest Blogger Captain Miles Altman

Book a fishing charter with Capt. Miles by calling 843-842-7001.Bayrunner Charter Fishingis offering a 3-3-3 special in Jan and Feb…3 hours, 3 people for 300!

Don’t miss the lovely and charming shops at Shelter Cove Harbour as you make your post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping rounds! Not only will you enjoy a fantastic harbour view, but you can find one-of-a-kind gifts from shops like Nash Gallery and the newest boutique to open in the area, Seasons.

The shops at Shelter Cove Harbour will be holding a variety of holiday sales during Black Friday and throughout the weekend. Plus, you can enjoy holiday fun like a visit from Santa at Noon and holiday music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. both on Black Friday. Be sure to enter to win a variety of prize packages, including gift cards and a 2-night stay at Shelter Cove with an ELA’s dinner gift certificate between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Find all of the holiday happenings in this blog post.

If you’re looking for a deal, here’s what you’ll find at the Shelter Cove sales:

The holiday season is upon us and we’ve got many fun events in the works for those of you considering a Hilton Head holiday getaway. Who can blame you for wanting to gather with your family on our beautiful island with the beach just outside your door?

Hilton Head Island offers all the traditional seasonal activities, as well, like visits with Santa, plentiful holiday shopping and delicious restaurants with seasonal offerings. Here’s just a few of the events you can look forward to throughout November and December:

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Shelter Cove!

Bring the little ones across the street from Palmetto Dunes to Shelter Cove Harbour on Friday, November 28, to see Santa as he makes a quick stop at the beach to find out what every little boy and girl would like under the tree this year.

Santa arrives at noon via a fire truck where he’ll be stationed at Neptune Statue for some great Instagram-worthy Christmas pics! The fun starts long before Santa arrives around 11 a.m. with holiday music, a moon bounce house, a kiddy train ride around the marina and special offers and sales from Shelter Cove merchants.

Santa will hang around until 2 p.m. before leaving our mild beach weather to head back to the snowy North Pole.

Sales Galore

Shelter Cove Harbour offers outstanding Hilton Head shopping with a beautiful view. Stroll through our many boutiques and shops for one-of-a-kind items like local ornaments at Christmas on the Harbour and amazing artwork from Nash Gallery. The newest store to open at the Harbour is Seasons, which features women’s apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry and resort wear -- the perfect spot to find dazzling outfits for upcoming holiday parties!

Throughout the weekend after Thanksgiving and all during the holiday season, Shelter Cove stores will offer sales and specials to cover all of your holiday shopping needs.

It’s Oyster Roast Season!

As we like to say here in the Lowcountry, any month ending with an “r” is the perfect month for an oyster roast, but things really get in full swing in November and December. The Dunes House, open to resort guests and owners at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, hosts an annual oyster roast for our dear friends and family each November.

This year’s event will be Saturday, November 29 from 2 p.m.- 7 p.m. Come shuck some oysters and eat them your favorite way – with lemon, hot sauce or however you prefer! We’ll also have beer specials and a full menu, and did we mention the fantastic ocean view?!

Shelter Cove Harbour, Palmetto Dunes’ waterfront marina and entertainment district, offers many wonderful choices for dining and more than 150 waterfront tables! Choose from six restaurants, serving everything from Mediterranean to Mexican and Italian to seafood – all with fantastic views.

Gather the girls for an afternoon margarita or bring the family for some fish tacos at San Miguel’s. Enjoy a daily happy hour, plus live entertainment from 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly.

Mediterranean Harbour Bar & Grill

Did you know you could see belly dancing on Hilton Head Island?! You can at Mediterranean Harbour Bar & Grill on Fridays throughout October and November from 7-9 p.m. They’re also currently offering a dinner special of $29.95/person that includes the soup of the day or side salad, the chef’s special entrée and a dessert.

La Fontana Waterfront Grill & Pizzeria

La Fontana is a great place to watch football while you’re visiting Hilton Head. The new Italian restaurant has six big screen TVs, an outdoor bar and plenty of drink specials.

Bistro 17

At gourmet restaurant Bistro 17, be an early bird and get a special deal. Those who choose to dine with them between 5 and 6 p.m. get 15% off, plus a free glass of house wine.

Scott’s Fish Market

Scott’s Fish Market has a different deal every day. For example, on Tuesdays get a free bottle of wine with the purchase of two main course entrees, while on Thursdays join in their Lobster Love Fest! On Saturdays and Sundays, they host a special football lunch from 11:30 a.m. -3 p.m.

ELA’s Blu Water Grill

A favorite of celebrities, ELA’s waterfront restaurant has live entertainment Thursday-Sunday evenings and features a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., also with live music.

Now, you’ve got six different places to try, all offering some great fall dining deals and fantastic views! While you’re there, be sure to enjoy Shelter Cove’s outstanding shopping , as well as Music & Taste on the Harbour Thursdays through Oct. 23 for free live music, dancing and small bites from Shelter Cove restaurants.